Storage system for storing objects of plastic material processed in a bottling line

ABSTRACT

A storage system for storing objects of plastic material processed in a bottling line ( 45 ) comprises: a plurality of drawers ( 4 ) configured to contain groups of objects ( 5 ); a frame ( 2 ) which defines a plurality of compartments ( 3 ) configured to house the drawers ( 4 ); a conveyor ( 8 ) movable in the storage system ( 1 ) itself and configured to access the compartments ( 3 ) in such a way as to withdraw and place drawers ( 4 ) from and into the compartments ( 4 ); a loading bay ( 11 ) having one or more loading compartments for receiving corresponding drawers ( 4 ) and having a loading manipulator ( 28 ) configured to place in the drawers ( 4 ) the loose objects ( 5 ) received from an infeed conveyor ( 29 ); an unloading bay ( 12 ) having at least one unloading compartment for receiving a corresponding drawer ( 4 ) and having an unloading manipulator ( 41 ) configured to place onto an outfeed conveyor ( 43, 44 ) the loose objects ( 5 ) stored in the drawer ( 4 ).

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention relates to a storage system for storing objects ofplastic material processed in a bottling line.

This invention also relates to a bottling line (and more specifically, acontinuous cycle line for bottling containers of thermoplastic material)equipped with a storage system.

BACKGROUND ART

In the field of bottling lines for filling containers of thermoplasticmaterial, patent document WO2009/127962 (in the name of the sameApplicant as this invention) describes a bottling line equipped with astorage system for the parisons.

The purpose of this storage system is to create a buffer in which theparisons can accumulate, so as to avoid having to interrupt theoperation of a rotary compression moulding machine for making parisons(and which has a high productive inertia) in the event of shutdown ofthe blow-moulding unit.

This storage system, however, does not allow rational and efficientmanagement of the objects contained therein, with a view to complete andsystematic integration of the storage system in the operation of theline.

Moreover, this storage system does not guarantee a high level of hygienefor the objects it contains.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

This invention has for an aim to provide a storage system for storingobjects of plastic material processed in a bottling line and whichovercomes the above mentioned disadvantages of the prior art.

More specifically, the aim of this invention is to provide a storagesystem for storing objects of plastic material processed in a bottlingline and which allows efficient management that can be coordinatedstably with the operation of the bottling line.

A further aim of the invention is to provide a storage system forstoring objects of plastic material processed in a bottling line andwhich allows a high level of hygiene to be achieved.

These aims are fully achieved by the storage system and by the methodaccording to the invention as characterized in the appended claims.

According to the invention, the storage system for storing objects ofplastic material processed in a bottling line comprises a plurality ofdrawers configured to contain groups of these objects.

The storage system comprises a frame which defines a plurality ofcompartments configured to house the drawers.

The storage system comprises a conveyor movable in the storage systemitself and configured to access the compartments in such a way as towithdraw and place drawers from and into the compartments.

The storage system comprises a loading bay having one or more loadingcompartments for receiving corresponding drawers and having a loadingmanipulator configured to place in the drawers the loose objectsreceived from an infeed conveyor.

The storage system comprises an unloading bay having at least oneunloading compartment for receiving a corresponding drawer and having anunloading manipulator configured to place onto an outfeed conveyor theloose objects stored in the drawer.

Preferably, the compartments for housing the drawers are positionedinside a space defined by the frame, or modular framework, of thestorage system.

Preferably, the conveyor is constrained to move the drawers within thespace defined by the modular framework.

Preferably, the storage system comprises one or more sensors configuredto count and/or weigh the objects contained in the drawers (for example,counting units).

Preferably, the storage system also comprises a control unit set up toreceive a drive signal representing the operation of the bottling lineand connected to the conveyor and to the loading and unloadingmanipulators to control their movements automatically as a function ofthe drive signal and the data collected by the sensors.

Preferably, the loading manipulators comprise controlled feed elementsand the unloading manipulators comprise means for rotating the drawerabout a longitudinal axis of the drawer itself.

Preferably, the control unit comprises a memory containing a databaseand is programmed to automatically store in the database informationregarding the contents of the drawers in relation to the compartment inwhich each drawer is positioned.

Preferably, the control unit is programmed to drive the conveyor basedon a FIFO method of storing and retrieving the objects.

Preferably, the control unit comprises a memory containing a databaseand is programmed to set control codes representing a sequence ofactions of the loading bay and/or unloading bay as a function of a valueselected by a user from a plurality of values displayed by the controlunit for a parameter representing the types of objects which the storagesystem contains or is to contain.

Preferably, the unloading bay comprises a bottom outfeed conveyor beltoriented along a longitudinal direction; and an actuator (or rotationmeans) operating on the drawer which is positioned in the unloadingcompartment or frame to rotate it about a longitudinal axis of rotationin order to place the objects by gravity on the bottom conveyor belt.

Preferably, the unloading bay comprises a panel which is movableuninterruptedly between a first operating position where the drawer isclosed by the panel and a second operating position where the drawer isopen.

The movement of the panel is coordinated with the rotation of thedrawer. Preferably, the unloading bay comprises a chute which guides theobjects as they fall and whose inclination angle is adjustable to guidethe objects as they fall onto the receiving conveyor belt below.Preferably, the bottom conveyor has an operating section which isinclined downwardly (that is, towards the floor).

Preferably, the bottom collecting conveyor takes the loose objects to afurther, removing conveyor belt which conveys the objects from thestorage system to the bottling line.

Preferably, the unloading bay comprises a first outfeed conveyor beltoriented along a longitudinal direction and set up to receive objectsfrom the outside of the storage system and to convey them along thelongitudinal direction.

The loading bay also comprises a pushing element or diverting belt whichis movable in a direction having at least one component transversal tothe longitudinal direction and which acts in conjunction with the firstoutfeed conveyor belt to push the objects out from one side of the belt.

The loading bay further comprises one or more loading compartments,defined by a load-bearing frame and positioned laterally of the belt ata level below the belt.

The loading bay comprises at least two loading compartments offset alongthe transversal direction and located at different heights so as tohouse two drawers simultaneously in the loading bay.

The loading bay comprises an orienting element (for example, a firstchute) which is movable between two operating positions to selectivelydirect the objects falling from the conveyor belt towards one or theother of the drawers positioned in the loading compartments.

The diverting belt is also movable along the longitudinal direction andthe loading compartment or compartments are configured to move thedrawer relative to the first belt along the transversal direction toallow the pushing element to move, according to a predetermined fillingcriterion, a zone for dropping off the objects from the conveyor beltinto the drawer, within an area defined by the bottom wall of thedrawer.

Preferably, each loading compartment comprises a kinematic unitconnectable to the corresponding drawer to allow the drawer to movealong the transversal direction.

Preferably, the drawers are movable relative to the conveyor andcompartments of the storage system by means of rolling elementsassociated with the drawer.

Preferably, the conveyor also has rolling elements for moving thedrawers.

Preferably, the bottom wall of each drawer is inclined and definesopenings which allow a liquid to flow out of the drawer spontaneously.

Preferably, the drawers have two opposite side walls or head endsprovided with pluralities of holes.

The storage system comprises a drawer washing bay located in one or morecompartments and accessible by the conveyor.

Preferably, the control unit is programmed to control the conveyor andthe washing bay to wash all the drawers at predetermined time intervals.

Preferably, the washing bay comprises washing means consisting ofnozzles configured to spray a hot acid washing liquid onto the insidewalls of the drawer.

Preferably, the conveyor is a stacker lift.

The stacker lift comprises a frame which is slidably coupled to themodular framework to translate along a longitudinal direction parallelto the floor within an aisle without compartments inside the storagesystem.

The stacker lift comprises a lift which is movable vertically relativeto its frame and movable independently of, and simultaneously with, thelongitudinal translational movement of the selfsame frame.

Preferably, the storage system is a drawer type storage system, that is,it comprises a plurality of drawers.

The storage system has a structure defining a plurality of compartments(or housings) for the drawers. These compartments are arranged in aplurality of juxtaposed columns.

The storage system also comprises (at least) one stacker lift having aplatform (or carriage) designed to receive and move the drawers.

The lift platform is movable vertically (varying its height from thestorage system floor) and horizontally, in a direction at right anglesto the vertical direction.

More specifically, the stacker lift is configured in such a way that theplatform is movable adjacently to all the compartments in the storagesystem in order to withdraw or insert drawers from and into thecompartments.

Preferably, the storage system comprises a drawer washing and sanitizingstation or bay.

The storage system also comprises at least one loading bay and at leastone unloading bay for the objects stored in the storage system.

The loading and unloading bays are accessible by the stacker lift.

The loading and unloading bays are located in zones of the storagesystem adjacent the conveyors designed to convey the objects into andout of the storage system (respectively) and constituting theconnections between the storage system and the other units of theproduction or bottling line.

The loading and unloading bays are equipped with respective manipulators(automatic handling means) for picking up and moving the objects storedin the storage system.

The lift moves within the storage system (driven by a control unit)between the loading bay, the compartments in the storage system, theunloading bay and the washing bay, in such a way as to carry emptydrawers to the loading bay, pick up full drawers from the loading bay,carry full drawers to the unloading bay and pick up empty drawers fromthe unloading bay and to insert full drawers into the compartment andwithdraw empty drawers from the compartments of the storage system.

Preferably, the storage system comprises sterilizing means located inthe unloading bay and operating on the objects in transit through theunloading bay (leaving the storage system) in order to sanitize them.

In addition (or alternatively), the storage system preferably comprisessterilizing means located in the loading bay and operating on theobjects in transit through the loading bay (entering the storage system)in order to sanitize them.

In the loading bay and/or in the unloading bay, the storage systempreferably comprises a system for counting the objects (inserted into orwithdrawn from the drawers). This counting system comprises, forexample, a video camera connected to a processor.

In the loading bay and/or in the unloading bay, the storage systempreferably comprises a system for weighing the objects. This weighingsystem comprises, for example, a loading cell or other known weighingmeans.

Thus, the storage system is preferably pressurized (with air underpressure). The storage system is preferably pressurized with ionizedair. The storage system may extend horizontally or, preferably,vertically. In the latter case (storage system extending vertically),the infeed and outfeed (of the caps and parisons) into and out of thestorage system are preferably located at different heights.

Preferably, the storage system is a drawer type storage system, that is,it comprises a plurality of drawers. The storage system has a structuredefining a plurality of housings (or slots) for the drawers. Thesehousing are arranged in a plurality of juxtaposed columns.

The storage system also comprises (at least) one lift having a platform(or carriage) designed to receive and move the drawers. The liftplatform is movable vertically (varying its height from the storagesystem floor) and horizontally, in a longitudinal direction at rightangles to the vertical direction. More specifically, the (at least one)lift is configured in such a way that the platform is movable adjacentlyto all the housings in the storage system in order to withdraw or insertdrawers from and into the housings.

Preferably, the storage system comprises a drawer washing station. Thestorage system preferably also comprises a drawer drying station. Thestorage system also comprises at least one loading bay and at least oneunloading bay for the objects stored therein. The loading and unloadingbays are accessible by the lift. The loading and unloading bays arelocated in zones of the storage system adjacent the conveyors designedto convey the objects into and out of the storage system (respectively)and constituting the connections between the storage system and theother units of the line. The loading and unloading bays are equippedwith respective manipulators (automatic handling means) for picking upand moving the objects stored in the storage system. More specifically,the manipulator of the loading bay is configured to pick up objects fromat least one of the conveyors and to place them in at least one drawer(empty and waiting to be filled) positioned in the loading bay. Themanipulator of the unloading bay is configured to pick up objects fromat least one drawer (full and waiting to be emptied) positioned in theloading bay and to place them on at least one of the conveyors. The liftmoves within the storage system (driven by the control unit) between theloading bay, the housings in the storage system and the unloading bay,in such a way as to carry empty drawers to the loading, bay, pick upfull drawers from the loading bay, carry full drawers to the unloadingbay and pick up empty drawers from the unloading bay and to insert fulldrawers into the housings and withdraw empty drawers from the housingsof the storage system.

Preferably, the storage system comprises sterilizing means located inthe unloading bay and operating on the objects in transit through theunloading bay (leaving the storage system) in order to sanitize them. Inaddition (or alternatively), the storage system preferably comprisessterilizing means located in the loading bay and operating on theobjects in transit through the loading bay (entering the storage system)in order to sanitize them. Preferably, the interior of the storagesystem is an aseptic (that is, sterile) environment. In light of this,the storage system comprises sterilizing means for sterilizing the spaceinside the storage system. These sterilizing means comprise, forexample, UV ray sources and nozzles configured to spray a sterilizingfluid.

These sterilizing means may be associated, at least in the loading andunloading bays, in combination or alternatively, with means for limitingelectrostatic charges such as, for example, but not necessarily,antistatic bars.

In the loading bay and/or in the unloading bay, the storage systempreferably comprises a system for checking and rejecting the objects.This checking and rejection system comprises, for example, an opticaldetector connected to a processor. In the loading bay and/or in theunloading bay, the storage system preferably comprises a system forcounting the objects (inserted into or withdrawn from the drawers). Thiscounting system comprises, for example, a video camera connected to aprocessor. In the loading bay and/or in the unloading bay, the storagesystem preferably comprises a system for weighing the objects. Thisweighing system comprises, for example, a loading cell or other knownweighing means.

Preferably, the storage system comprises a system of outlet vents (forexample connected to fans) located in a high-pressure zone of thestorage system. Preferably, the storage system also comprises a systemof inlet vents (for example connected to fans) located in a low-pressurezone of the storage system. The pressure in the low-pressure zone islower than that in the high-pressure zone but preferably higher than thepressure outside the storage system (outside the bottling line).Preferably, the high-and low-pressure zones of the storage system arelocated at opposite ends of the storage system, so as to create a(laminar) flow of air through the entire space inside the storagesystem.

Preferably, the drawers are provided with holes to allow an air flow topass through them. Preferably, the storage system structure defining thedrawer housings is a structure (for example, a lattice frame) definingopenings through which an air flow can pass.

Preferably, the storage system has the shape of a parallelepiped.

Preferably the storage system has a rectangular base, with two longsides and two short sides. The storage system accordingly has a lateralwall with two large faces and two small faces. Preferably, the high-andlow-pressure zones are located at opposite faces of the lateral wall ofthe storage system, preferably the small faces of the lateral wall.

Preferably, the storage system comprises a plurality of filters coupledto the outlet vents (downstream of the corresponding pressure fans) tofilter the air delivered into the storage system.

Preferably, the lift is movable within the storage system along railswhich follow a predetermined path. Preferably, the lift is coupled tothe rails by rolling elements. This reduces the formation of dust orother material in suspension inside the storage system. As regards thearrangement of the rails, that is to say, of the path followed by thelift in the storage system, attention is drawn to the following.Preferably, the lift carriage is movable vertically, preferably for thefull height of the storage system (that is, its vertical stroke is equalto the height of the storage system).

Also, preferably, the lift carriage is movable horizontally, preferablyalong the direction of the long sides of the storage system base (thatis, its horizontal stroke is equal in length to the long sides of therectangular base of the storage system). In light of this, there aredifferent embodiments.

In a first embodiment, the storage system includes an empty passagewhich cuts the small lateral faces and separates the storage system intotwo parts along a dividing plane parallel to the large lateral faces.The lift comprises a frame having, for example, two vertical uprights(whose length is equal to the height of the storage system) which definevertical guide rails for opposite ends of the carriage (which is asubstantially rectangular platform). The frame is in turn movablehorizontally along a (horizontal,) direction parallel to the largefaces. The frame runs on horizontal rails or on a single horizontal railextending along the dividing plane. In this case, the carriage and thedrawers are positioned perpendicularly to the planes defined by thesmall lateral faces of the storage system.

In a second embodiment, the carriage and the drawers are positionedparallel to the planes defined by the small lateral faces of the storagesystem. The storage system includes at least one empty passage (verticalaisle) which cuts the large lateral faces and separates the storagesystem into two or more parts along a dividing plane parallel to thesmall lateral faces. For example, the storage system might have aplurality of empty passages (vertical aisles) which cut the largelateral faces and separate the storage system into a plurality of partsalong dividing planes parallel to the small lateral faces. The storagesystem also comprises slideways for the lift carriage extendinghorizontally inside the storage system, to allow the lift carriage tomove horizontally inside the storage system. For example, at one or morepredetermined levels (that is, at one or more predetermined heights fromthe storage system floor) there might be slideways for the lift carriageextending horizontally for the full length of the storage system(measured along the long sides of the rectangular base of the storagesystem). Preferably, the horizontal slideways are located at the lowestlevel or at the highest level (or at an intermediate level, that is,half way up the storage system). Each of the vertical aisles (positionedtransversely to the large lateral faces) has vertical slideways to allowthe carriage to move vertically up and down these aisles. When thecarriage is aligned with the horizontal slideways, it is able to movehorizontally from one vertical aisle to another. It should be noted thatthe structure of the storage system might also by divided into aplurality of blocks (or modules) movable relative to each other to openand close the free passages between one block and another. Thesepassages define vertical and/or horizontal aisles to move the lift (thatis, the lift carriage) within the storage system. In this situation,therefore, the at least one vertical and/or horizontal aisle is createddynamically by moving the blocks. Moreover, they may be formed (openedand closed) anywhere in the storage system. Thanks to this structure,the difference between the total volume of the space inside the storagesystem and the volume of the space occupied by the drawers inside thestorage system is limited to the volume of a single horizontal aisle anda single vertical aisle. This maximizes the space inside the storagesystem, reducing its overall dimensions (relative to the number ofdrawers, that is, product storage space). In light of this, the storagesystem drawers are organized in vertical stacks. The stacks are slidablycoupled to a storage system base so that they can be moved horizontally.Drive means (for example, electric motors or other actuators) for theblocks are connected to a control unit (for example, an electronic card)designed to control and manage the storage system. The control unit isset up to receive as input a signal representing the position of thelift carriage and the position (of the housing, that is, the drawer)inside the storage system which the carriage must reach. The controlunit is programmed to process and output a signal for driving the drawerblock movement means, to form a path (one vertical and one horizontalaisle or a succession of horizontal and vertical stretches of aisle)which places the carriage in communication with the position to bereached. The drawers can also be moved vertically relative to each other(individually or in blocks) in order to dynamically create horizontalaisles (or parts of aisles) along which to move the lift carriage.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Below is a description of a preferred embodiment of the invention,illustrated solely by way of non-limiting example in the accompanyingdrawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic plan view of a storage system for storing plasticobjects usable in bottling lines;

FIGS. 2, 3 and 4 illustrate a drawer used in the storage system of FIG.1, in a perspective view, in a front view and in a scaled-up detail fromFIG. 3, respectively;

FIGS. 5 and 6 are both side views, with some parts cut away in order tobetter illustrate others, showing a movement unit forming part of thestorage system of FIG. 1 in two different operating configurations ofwithdrawing a drawer;

FIG. 7 illustrates a loading bay or station for loading the objects intothe drawers of the storage system in a schematic perspective view from Ain FIG. 1, with some parts cut away in order to better illustrateothers;

FIG. 8 is a scaled-up perspective view illustrating a detail of theloading bay of FIG. 7;

FIGS. 9 and 10 are both perspective views, with some parts cut away inorder to better illustrate others, showing the loading bay in twodifferent configurations of filling the drawers;

FIGS. 11 and 12 illustrate the unloading bay in schematic side views intwo different configurations of feeding the objects;

FIGS. 13, 14 and 15 illustrate an unloading bay or station for unloadingthe loose plastic objects from a drawer to a movement belt in threedifferent operating configurations; all these figures being perspectiveviews from B in FIG. 1 and with some parts cut away in order to betterillustrate others;

FIG. 16 is a side view from C in FIG. 1, illustrating a washing bay orstation forming part of the storage system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 17 is a schematic top plan view showing a loading scheme for adrawer in the loading bay of the storage system of the invention;

FIG. 18 illustrates a detail of the storage system of FIG. 1, showingthe stacker lift coming out of one head end of the storage system in aperspective view, with some parts cut away in order to better illustrateothers;

FIG. 19 illustrates a loading bay of the storage system in a side viewpartly in cross section;

FIG. 20 illustrates an unloading bay of the storage system in a sideview partly in cross section.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

With reference to the accompanying drawings, in particular FIG. 1, thestorage system 1 of the invention is used to distribute, store andhandle loose objects 5.

The storage system 1 comprises a modular framework 2 extending along alongitudinal axis X, a transversal axis Y and a vertical axis Z toconfigure a plurality of compartments 3 substantially in the shape ofparallelepipeds of the same size, for containing drawers 4 designed tocontain the loose objects 5 in predetermined quantities.

The storage system 1 comprises a set of levels placed on top of oneanother and each of which comprises a plurality of compartments 3positioned one after the other in horizontal succession.

Each compartment 3 is open at least on its large sides and is equippedwith a bracket 7 at each head end for supporting a respective drawer 4(at a height).

The storage system 1 is equipped with a unit 8 for handling and movingthe drawers 4.

This unit comprises a stacker lift 8 equipped with a load-bearing frame9 configured to move along the axis X of the storage system 1 in bothdirections and a lift 10 mounted on the frame 9 and movable in bothdirections along the axis Z of the storage system 1.

The lift 10 is configured to withdraw/place the drawers 4 from/into thecompartments 3 and has a volumetric size such as to allow it to receivea drawer 4.

In the embodiment illustrated, the stacker lift 8 is positioned in themiddle of the storage system 1 and divides two distinct sections of thestorage system having levels of compartments 3 placed on top of eachother.

It should be noted that the storage system 1 of the invention is usedfor distributing, storing and handling loose objects 5 of plasticmaterial processed in bottling lines.

More specifically, the loose objects 5 to be distributed, handled andstored are parisons, caps or means for closing the bottles, or plasticcontainers, preferably intended for food products.

In light of this, the storage system 1 comprises a loading bay orstation 11 for loading the loose objects 5 into the drawers 4.

Preferably, the stacker lift 8 conveys individual drawers 4 to and fromthe loading bay 11 for loading the objects 5 into the drawers 4.

Preferably, the loading bay 11 is located in the proximity of a head endof the storage system 1 (see FIG. 1).

In a first embodiment, (illustrated here), the loading bay 11 is locatedon the outside of the perimeter of the storage system 1.

Alternatively, the loading bay 11 might be located in a zone inside thestorage system 1, preferably within a compartment 3.

It should be noted that the storage system 1 comprises an unloading bayor station 12 for unloading the loose objects 5 from the drawers 4.

In light of this, the stacker lift 8 conveys individual drawers 4 to andfrom the unloading bay 12 for unloading the objects from the drawers 4.

Preferably, the unloading bay 12 is located at one end of the storagesystem 1.

In light of this, the unloading bay 12 is located within the perimeterof the storage system 1 and occupies a volume equal to that of acompartment 3 of the storage system 1 so as to be accessible by thestacker lift 8.

More specifically, the unloading bay 12 is located at the head end ofthe storage system 1 opposite to that where the loading bay 11 islocated.

Alternatively, the unloading bay 12 might be located at the same headend as the loading bay 11.

The storage system 1 also comprises a washing bay or station 13 forwashing the drawers 4.

In light of this, the washing bay 13 is a station where each drawer 4can be washed, dried and sanitized. The purpose of this is to meetstandards of hygiene for storing the loose objects 5.

In light of this, the stacker lift 8 conveys individual empty drawers 4to and from the washing bay 13 when required.

Preferably, the washing bay 13 is located within the perimeter of thestorage system 1.

Also preferably, the washing bay 13 is located within the perimeter ofthe storage system 1 and occupies a volume equal to that of acompartment 3 of the storage system 1 so as to be accessible by thestacker lift 8.

The drawers 4 used for containing the objects 5 comprise a box-shapedstructure comprising an open top and a closed bottom 14 with a profilein the shape of an upturned V or “humped back”. Also, the bottom 14 isuniformly perforated (see FIGS. 2 to 4).

The box-shaped structure also comprises two lateral ends 15 providedwith through holes distributed on each of the ends 15.

The shape of the bottom 14 and the uniformly distributed holes on thestructure of the drawer 4, make the drawer quick and easy to wash andsanitize, besides allowing air to pass through when the drawer 4 ishoused in the compartment 3 of the storage system 1.

It should be noted that each head end 15 is equipped with rollingelements 16 for its loading and unloading movement.

More specifically, the rolling elements 16 also allow the drawer to besupported in the compartment 3, on the lift 10 and in all the bays 11,12 and 13 which serve the storage system 1.

Advantageously, the rolling elements 16 comprise a pair of wheels 17which can turn idly and which are associated with the bottom of eachhead end 15.

In light of this and as mentioned previously, each compartment 3 isequipped with a bracket 7 which is located at each head end of thecompartment 3 and which is engaged by the corresponding wheels 17 of thedrawer 4 when the drawer 4 is placed or withdrawn.

Each bracket 7 (see FIG. 6) comprises a pair of indentations 18 on thesurface of contact with the wheels 17 (and spaced from each other by adistance equal to the centre distance between two wheels 17) to allowthe drawer 4 to be securely positioned in the compartment 3.

To this must be added the fact that each bracket 7 is equipped with avertical pin 19 associated with the outer end thereof (the end notaffected by the passage of the stacker lift 8) and if necessary actingas a limit stop for the drawer 4.

Preferably, the drawer 4 is equipped with a catch 20 protruding from themiddle of each head end 15.

The two catches 20 (with U-shaped cross section) define the bilateralgripping elements by which the lift 10 holds the drawer 4 while thedrawer 4 is being moved.

In light of this (see FIGS. 5 and 6), the lift 10 comprises a carriage21 for containing the drawer 4 and whose volumetric size is such that itcan receive the drawer 4 itself. The lift 10 comprises a telescopic unit22 for gripping and releasing the drawer 4 for each head end of thecarriage 21.

Each unit 22 has a telescopic arm driven by suitable kinematic systemswhich allow it to move in both directions both along an axis parallel tothe transversal axis Y of the storage system 1 (towards and away fromthe head ends 15 of the drawer 4) and along a vertical axis in order todo the following:

-   -   extend the arms so as to move to a position above the catch 20        (horizontal movement with arms at a height where they can be        freely extended);    -   intercept and lock to both sides of the catch 20 with a        fork-shaped hook 23 (vertical movement by which the arms are        lowered to hooking and operating height) having a pair of wheels        24 for adapting to the outside surfaces of the catch 20;    -   withdraw the arms in order to pick up the drawer 4 and place it        in the carriage 21.

Releasing the drawer 4 in the compartment 3 or in the bays 11, 12, or 13comprises the following steps:

-   -   extending the arms outside the carriage 21 (at the hooking and        operating height) to eject the drawer 4 from the carriage 21;    -   lifting the arms to operating height;    -   withdrawing the arms into the carriage 21.

Inside it, the carriage 21 is provided with a pair of guides 25 forsupporting the drawer 4 where the wheels 17 of the drawer 4 rest as itmoves in and out.

Preferably, under the guides 25 there are load cells (not illustrated)for measuring the weight of the drawer 4 when empty and of the drawer 4when full.

The loading bay 11 (see FIGS. 7 to 9) comprises a bottom frame 26 forhousing at least two drawers 4 at different heights from the floor.

The drawers 4 are carried and picked up by the stacker lift 8 which canbe positioned on one side of the frame 26.

The frame 26 has a series of guide pairs for supporting the drawers 4(not visible here).

The frame 26 also has, for each working height of the drawers 4, akinematic chain unit 27 located on both sides of the frame 26 andequipped with an inwardly protruding pin for engaging the correspondingcatch 20 of each head end 15 of the drawer 4.

The kinematic unit 27 (see FIG. 19) allows the drawer 4 to be moved inboth directions along an axis parallel to the transversal axis Y of thestorage system.

The loading bay 11 comprises means 28 for controlled feeding of incomingloose objects 5 from a conveyor 29.

Preferably, these feed means 28 place the loose objects 5 into thedrawer 4 continuously and in proportion to the loose objects 5 being fedin by the conveyor 29.

Alternatively, the feed means 28 place the loose objects 5 into thedrawer 4 according to a logic whereby the loose objects 5 areaccumulated and released into the drawer 4 later.

The feed means 28 comprise (FIGS. 7 to 10) a first belt 30 extendingparallel to the axis of longitudinal extension of the drawer 4 (that is,parallel to the axis X of the storage system 1) and above the drawers 4.Sliding in both directions along this first belt 30 there is a scraperor belt diverter 31 positioned transversely to the first belt 30 tointercept and direct the falling objects 5 towards the drawer 4.

The diverter 31 is driven according to a loading program logicillustrated in FIG. 17 (described below).

The loading bay 11 comprises a first, upper chute 32 and a second chute33 to load the drawers 4 located at a lower level.

In other words, when a drawer 4 at an upper level is full (configurationof FIG. 11), the drawer 4 is moved translationally by the kinematic unit27 towards the infeed/outfeed zone of the loading bay 11 (FIG. 12) wherethe stacker lift 8 is waiting.

At this point, the first chute 32 (by roto translating) moves down alevel to intercept the falling objects 5 and direct them towards thesecond chute 33 which in turn directs the loose objects 5 into thelowermost drawer 4 (FIG. 12).

The second chute 33, too, can be moved along a transversal direction tomodify the path of the loose objects 5 as they fall.

Alternatively (not illustrated), to load the drawers 4 by accumulation,the belt 30 might prepare a predetermined quantity of loose objects 5which are picked up from a container which is movable also vertically sothat the accumulated quantity of objects 5 is moved closer to the drawer4 and the objects 5 thus fall from a smaller height.

The storage system 1 also comprises, between the conveyor 29 of objects5 and the first belt 30, a counting unit 34 for counting the objects fedto the first belt 30.

The counting unit 34 is mounted above the zone where the objects 5 pass.The counting unit 34 is connected to a central control unit 35 of thestorage system 1 and of the respective bays 11, 12 and 13.

The storage system 1 also comprises a unit 36 for treating the incomingobjects and positioned, between the conveyor 29 and the first belt 30.

The unit 36 may comprise an anti-static bar.

The unit 36 may comprise a lamp for emitting UV rays.

The unit 36 may comprise nozzles for spraying sterilizing liquids(preferably, but not necessarily, volatile).

The unit 36 may comprise ionizing devices (to prevent externalsubstances from being “attracted” electrostatically).

The conveyor 29 may be fed by a machine 37 which makes the loose objects5.

As regards the logic by which the drawer 4 is loaded by the loading bay11, a preferred embodiment (see FIG. 17) comprises dividing the topsurface area of the drawer 4 into smaller cells approximately arrangedalong two axes (a longitudinal axis X4 and a transversal axis Y4 of thedrawer 4) and which receives a predetermined quantity of objects 5.

The number of cells and layers of objects to be placed in order to fillthe drawer 4 is decided as a function of the type and individual size ofthe object 5.

In the case described earlier on, the diverter 31 is located at apredetermined initial position and waits for the incoming objects 5 toarrive after being counted by the unit 34 upstream of the first belt 29.

Contact of the incoming objects 5 which have been counted with thediverter 31 causes the objects to be placed in the predetermined cell.

When the predetermined number of objects 5 for filling the cell isreached (a number greater than that predetermined for filling the cellhaving been counted upstream), the drawer 4 and the diverter 31 aremoved in such a way as to put another cell of the drawer 4 in theloading position.

The drawer 4 is moved by the kinematic unit 27 to change the positionalong the axis Y4, whereas the diverter 31 is moved to change theposition along the axis X4 (see FIG. 17).

The speed of movement of the components, in particular that of thediverter 31 (as well as the speed of its belt) is correlated as afunction of the position of the diverter 31 relative to the zone wherethe objects 5 enter and the operating speed of the first belt 30.

This procedure is repeated for each cell present in the drawer 4 and, ifthe program involves filling the cell with two or more layers, theprocedure is repeated until the drawer 4 is completely full according,for example, to the path shown by the arrows in FIG. 17.

The unloading bay 12 occupies a space substantially equivalent to one ormore compartments 3 of the storage system 1.

The stacker lift 8 can feed or withdraw a drawer 4 from the unloadingbay 12 from the side of the unloading bay 12 itself, in the same way asdescribed above for the compartments 3 and the loading bay 11. Theunloading bay 12 comprises:

-   -   a frame 38 for supporting the drawer 4 and also having an upper        panel 39 for closing the top of the drawer 4 and movable        translationally in both directions;    -   means 40 for locking the drawer 4 in the frame 38;    -   means 41 for rotating the drawer 4 about an axis parallel to the        longitudinal axis X of the storage system 1 for unloading the        loose objects 5;    -   a guide chute 42 which directs the loose objects 5 as they fall        and whose angle of inclination is adjustable;    -   a bottom conveyor 43 which receives and moves the loose objects        5 as they fall onto it and which is movable along a direction        parallel to the transversal axis Y of the storage system 1.        Preferably, the operating section of the bottom conveyor 43 is        inclined downwardly (that is, towards the floor).

Preferably, the bottom collecting and movement conveyor 43 takes theloose objects 5 to a further, removing conveyor belt 44 which conveysthe objects 5 from the storage system 1 to a production line 45 (forexample, a bottling line).

The unloading bay 12 thus receives the full drawer 4 and unloads it byrotating the drawer 4 in such a way as to cause progressive opening ofthe panel 39, correlated with the angle of inclination of the drawer 4.

As the opening allowed by the panel 39 increases in size, so the chute42 is positioned accordingly and adapts its inclination to theinclination of the drawer 4 so that the objects 5 always fall from thesame height, irrespective of the angular position of the drawer 4.

After being unloaded, the drawer 4 is returned to the horizontalposition and released by the locking means 40 so that it can bewithdrawn by the stacker lift 8.

The washing bay 13 is preferably located inside the storage system 1 andoccupies a space equal to that of a compartment 3.

The washing bay 13 comprises:

-   -   a sealed chamber 46 having a door 47 to allow the drawer 4 to        pass through;    -   slideways 48 for receiving the drawer 4 to be sanitized and        located inside the chamber 46;    -   internal washing and/or sanitizing means 49;    -   internal drying means 50.

The drawer 4 is placed and withdrawn by the stacker lift 8 in the sameway as described above for the compartments 3 and the other bays.

It should be noted, therefore, that the drawer 4 remains inside thestorage system 1 during the washing operations carried out on it.

All the units of the storage system 1 described to here are slave unitsof the aforementioned central control unit 35.

The central unit 35 has memory banks correlated with the number ofdrawers 4, their weight when empty, and the number of compartments 3 inthe storage system (possibly correlated with the position of apredetermined drawer 4).

The operating program of the storage system 1 is set on the central unit35 by pointing to the type of loose object 5 to be handled.

Depending on the loose object 5 selected, the central unit 35 selfadapts based on the program and database, by which it drives:

-   -   feeding of the loose objects 5 to the loading bay 11;    -   type, speed and mode of loading the drawers 4;    -   positioning of the drawers 4 inside the compartments 3 of the        storage system;    -   withdrawal of the drawers 4 to be unloaded in the unloading bay        12.

Station drive is accomplished, preferably, with parameters such as thefollowing:

-   -   speed of the conveyor belts (for the loading and unloading bays)        as a function of the object to be loaded/unloaded;    -   number of cell sections in X4 and Y4 and loading logic or        filling matrix;    -   data regarding product batches to be made and which batches to        be loaded/unloaded at the bays and thus, which drawers to direct        to the unloading bay also as a function of the production of the        machine which makes the objects upstream of the storage system.

It should be noted, therefore, that the master drive logic of the unit35 is correlated with request parameters from the production (bottling)line 45. Based on these parameters, the unit 35 decides which drawers 4are to be sent to the unloading bay 12.

As mentioned above, the unit 35 drives the stacker lift 8 which sendsthe data regarding the weight of the drawers 4 being handled (when emptyand when full) and their reference to be checked against the database ofthe unit 35: the purpose of this is also to check that the drawers 4 arecompletely loaded and unloaded (again as a function of the type ofobject 5 being handled).

Thanks to the system described to here, the unit 35 can rapidly identifyand manage (in the feed block) batches of objects which are found to bedefective, including those which have been stored.

Besides identification, the unit 35 can also manage procedures ofremoval of said batches of objects using the stacker lift and theunloading bay 12 during operations on the storage system withoutaffecting the work cycle of the production line.

The unit 35 is also programmed to optimize operations of handling thedrawers 4 in a “double depth” storage system 1, that is, with levelshaving double compartments 3, placed side by side (see schematicrepresentation in FIG. 18).

In this case, the unit 35 is programmed to drive the stacker lift 8 to“optimize” the positioning of the drawers 4 inside the compartments 3,avoiding having to move drawers 4 in order to withdraw drawers 4 fromthe compartment 3 furthest from the stacker lift 8.

It should also be noted that the unit 35 also controls washing andsanitizing times according to the length of time the drawers 4 have beenused.

The structure of the storage system thus obtained allows loose objectsto be handled from production to use (bottling) rapidly and effectively,keeping the object under strict check after its production and before itis sent to the line where it is used.

The stations used are configured to handle the objects with great care,guaranteeing they are not damaged and providing a high standard ofhygiene inside the storage system.

The storage system structured in this way is fully automatic fromproduct loading to product unloading without having to remove or addcontainers from outside the structure.

The special structure of the drawers, which are moved at all times byrolling parts, guarantees a high standard of hygiene in all parts of thestorage system.

The drawer is designed to be rapidly sanitized without externalintervention.

As stated, therefore, the storage system has for a supervisor the systemwhich serves the production line downstream (bottling).

1. A storage system for storing objects of plastic material processed ina bottling line, characterized in that it comprises: a plurality ofdrawers configured to contain groups of the objects; a frame whichdefines a plurality of compartments configured to house the drawers; astacker lift providing a conveyor movable in the storage system itselfand configured to access the compartments in such a way as to withdrawand place drawers from and into the compartments; a loading bay havingone or more loading compartments for receiving corresponding drawers andhaving a loading manipulator configured to place in the drawers theloose objects received from an infeed conveyor; an unloading bay havingat least one unloading compartment for receiving a corresponding drawerand having an unloading manipulator configured to place onto an outfeedconveyor the loose objects stored in the drawer, wherein at least one ofthe loading bay or the unloading bay is accessible by said stacker lift.
 2. The storage system according to claim 1, wherein all thecompartments for housing the drawers are positioned inside a spacedefined by the frame of the storage system and wherein the conveyor isconstrained to move the drawers inside that space.
 3. The storage systemaccording to claim 1, comprising: one or more sensors, configured tocount and/or weigh the objects contained in the drawers; a control unitset up to receive a drive signal representing the operation of thebottling line and connected to the conveyor and to the loadingmanipulator and the unloading manipulator to control their movementsautomatically as a function of the drive signal and the data collectedby the sensors. 4-12. (canceled)
 13. The storage system according toclaim 1, wherein, for each drawer, the bottom wall of the drawer isinclined and defines openings which allow a liquid to flow out of thedrawer spontaneously.
 14. The storage system according to claim 1,wherein the drawers have at least two opposite side walls or head endsprovided with pluralities of holes.
 15. The storage system according toclaim 1, comprising a drawer washing bay located in one or morecompartments and accessible by the conveyor.
 16. The storage systemaccording to claim 15, comprising a control unit programmed to controlthe conveyor and the washing bay to wash all the drawers atpredetermined time intervals.
 17. The storage system according to claim15, wherein the washing bay comprises nozzles configured to spray a hotacid washing liquid onto the inside walls of the drawer.
 18. The storagesystem according to claim 1, comprising units for treating the objects,comprising UV lamps and/or antistatic bars and/or ionizing devices, andconfigured to sterilize the objects in the storage system and/or preventexternal substances from being electrostatically attracted to them. 19.The storage system according to claim 1, wherein the conveyor comprises:a frame which is slidably coupled to the storage system frame totranslate along a longitudinal direction parallel to the floor within anaisle without compartments inside the storage system; a lift which ismovable vertically relative to its frame and movable independently of,and simultaneously with, the longitudinal translational movement of theselfsame frame.
 20. The storage system according to claim 1, comprisinga pressurization system for generating a flow of air through thedrawers, keeping the compartments under conditions of overpressure. 21.A bottling line for containers of thermoplastic material, comprising: amoulding unit for making parisons of thermoplastic material from thethermoplastic material in its raw form; at least one blow-moulding unitconfigured to receive the parisons and to blow-mould them in such a wayas to make containers designed to be filled; a filling unit configuredto receive the containers from the blow-moulding unit and to fill themwith liquid or semi-liquid food products; a parison thermal conditioningstructure configured to receive the parisons from the moulding unit andto heat and cool the parisons; an automatic storage system configured tocontain at least the parisons and connected to the thermal conditioningstructure to receive and feed parisons from and to the thermalconditioning structure, wherein the storage system is a storage systemaccording to claim
 1. 22. The line according to claim 21, comprising: aninfeed conveyor connected to the loading bay of the storage system andconfigured to feed the loading bay with loose products; a outfeedconveyor connected to the unloading bay of the storage system andconfigured to feed loose products out of the storage system.
 23. Thestorage system according to claim 1, wherein the loading bay and theunloading bay are accessible by said stacker lift.
 24. The storagesystem according to claim 1, wherein the stacker lift is movable withinthe storage system between the loading bay, the compartments in thestorage system, the unloading bay and the washing bay, and wherein thestacker lift is configured to carry empty drawers to the loading bay,pick up full drawers from the loading bay, carry full drawers to theunloading bay, pick up empty drawers from the unloading bay and toinsert full drawers into the compartments and withdraw empty drawersfrom the compartments of the storage system.
 25. The storage systemaccording to claim 19, wherein the stacker lift is movable within thestorage system between the loading bay, the compartments in the storagesystem and the unloading bay, and wherein the stacker lift is configuredto carry empty drawers to the loading bay, pick up full drawers from theloading bay, carry full drawers to the unloading bay, pick up emptydrawers from the unloading bay, insert full drawers into thecompartments and withdraw empty drawers from the compartments of thestorage system.
 26. The storage system according to claim 1, wherein thestacker lift is configured for conveying individual drawers to and fromthe unloading bay for unloading the loose objects from the drawers. 27.The storage system according to claim 26, wherein the unloadingmanipulator of the unloading bay is configured to pick up objects fromthe at least one drawer positioned in the loading bay, to place them onthe outfeed conveyor.
 28. The storage system according to claim 1,wherein the loading bay is located in a first zone of the storage systemadjacent the infeed conveyor, which is configured to convey the objectsinto the storage system and constitute a connection between the storagesystem and other units of the bottling line.
 29. The storage systemaccording to claim 1, wherein the unloading bay is located in a secondzone of the storage system adjacent the outfeed conveyor, which areconfigured to convey the objects out of the storage system andconstitutes a connection between the storage system and other units ofthe bottling line.